1. EDF 2005 Chapter 3 Challenges of School Reform

2. Change: Educators’ Constant Companion Is change comfortable? Education changed by social and political environments Rate of change is fast Cultural changes (ethnicities, languages) Cultural changes (ethnicities, languages) Backgrounds & abilities Backgrounds & abilities Technological changes Technological changes Discussion: Affluent vs. non-affluent homes – Public school responsibility? Education as a political platform Teachers MUST stay informed…

3. Systemic Reform A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983) Education in past was excellent Education in past was excellent Education now is poor – settling for mediocrity Education now is poor – settling for mediocrity Data does not support this document Data does not support this document Debates on educational improvement – Who decides? Debates on educational improvement – Who decides? Is accountability necessary? Is accountability necessary? What about standardization? – Is there such a thing? What about standardization? – Is there such a thing? What do low scores indicate? What do low scores indicate?

4. Systemic Reform Definition: Responding proactively to multiple issues Outcome goals Outcome goals School choice School choice Redesigning teacher responsibility and compensation Redesigning teacher responsibility and compensation Implementing federal Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration programs Implementing federal Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration programs

5. Systemic Reform Outcome Goals Emphasize results or effects of instruction Emphasize results or effects of instruction Former emphasis on Input Goals Former emphasis on Input Goals Isn’t it more realistic to focus more on what is coming out of schools rather than what is being put into them? Input is important, but outcome determines effectiveness

6. School Choice Allowing parents to decide what school is best for their children rather than going to the one in their attendance zone Proponents conclude: Product (students’ education) will be made better through competition for clients (learners) Product (students’ education) will be made better through competition for clients (learners) Schools can focus on one area rather than many Schools can focus on one area rather than many Diversity can spread schools too thin with effective delivery Schools cannot possibly respond to all needs of all students

7. School Choice Advantages: Learners from low-income families can avoid “mediocre” schools Learners from low-income families can avoid “mediocre” schools Families will have increased interest because they are actively involved Families will have increased interest because they are actively involved Competition leads to improved quality Competition leads to improved quality Students will be at an advantage because the school they are in has been chosen to fit their needs Students will be at an advantage because the school they are in has been chosen to fit their needs

8. School Choice Voucher Plans Monies allocated for students moves with that student Monies allocated for students moves with that student Debates arise over public vs. private schooling using the voucher system Debates arise over public vs. private schooling using the voucher system

9. School Choice Voucher Plans Supporters: Supporters: Provide a way for parents and students to find a balance between public and private benefits People can make decisions rather than decisions being made for them For competition to thrive, alternatives should include public and private schools People in lower socio-economic environments will have same opportunities as others

10. School Choice Voucher Plans Critics: Critics: Parents will focus more on issues rather than quality of academics Culture of school Culture of school Beliefs about teachers and staff Beliefs about teachers and staff Test scores Test scores Alternative schools will be created to meet needs of low- income families When vouchers are used, religious schools are the dominant choice Vouchers (public tax monies) are used to pay for private schooling Eventually, public schools will have only “leftovers” Eventually, public schools will have only “leftovers”

11. School Choice Charter Schools Semiautonomous public schools Semiautonomous public schools Free from excessive regulation Free from excessive regulation Proponents: Proponents: Same arguments as voucher plans More cost-effective due to control of money Opponents: Opponents: Money is taken away from school system Supporters exaggerate problems with the school systems Research has shown less satisfaction with charter schools???

12. School Choice Open-Enrollment Plans Similar to voucher plans without tax dollars being given directly to parents Similar to voucher plans without tax dollars being given directly to parents Administration has final say to maintain control over racial balance, etc. Administration has final say to maintain control over racial balance, etc. Magnet Schools Focus on a particular theme (science, arts) Focus on a particular theme (science, arts) Entry requirements Entry requirements

13. Redesigned Teacher- Compensation Schemes Knowledge and Skills-Based Pay Salaries are beginning to increase as a result of need and accountability Salaries are beginning to increase as a result of need and accountability Teacher performance can lead to salary increases Teacher performance can lead to salary increases Merit Pay Should academic performance of students determine salary increases of teachers? Should academic performance of students determine salary increases of teachers?

14. Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Programs Read on your own (P. 71-72)

15. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Public Law 107-110 (2002) Basic principle is ACCOUNTABILITY Outlines what all students should learn at each grade level based on state standards Schools required to meet AYP standards Progress in all subgroups Progress in all subgroups Provides data – Data leads to accountability – Accountability leads to parent options Highly qualified teachers AYP Reports: http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/default.asp http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/default.asp

16. School-Business Partnerships Others taking interest in schools Stakeholders with input Colleges and universities Colleges and universities Developers? – Reciprocated? Developers? – Reciprocated? Tech-Prep Programs – Vocational Ed. School-to-Work Opportunities Act

17. Full-Service Schools Bringing all support services to one location The one stop shop approach – “Wal-Mart philosophy of service” (Mabry, 2006) Day-to-day education and instruction Day-to-day education and instruction After-school care After-school care Medical and dental services Medical and dental services Adult education for parents Adult education for parents Family and social services support Family and social services support Legal services Legal services Substance abuse treatment Substance abuse treatment Counseling services Counseling services Emergency treatment Emergency treatmentLiability? (Wagner, 2000)